Intel announced a new microprocessor aimed at storage products and embedded applications at the Intel Developer Forum in Beijing on Wednesday. The processor, code named Jasper Forest, is a variant on the Nehalem server processor. Intel has optimized it for embedded systems by integrating the input/output hub right onto the processor, rather than keeping it in a separate chip. At the same event, the company also announced two additions to its family of Atom processors, which are used in many netbooks. The faster of the two, the Z550, will run at 2 gigahertz, and is intended for mobile internet devices, Intel said.

Java added to Google Apps

Google has updated its Google App Engine platform, adding preliminary support for industry-standard Java applications. Only the first 10,000 developers to sign up will get access to the Java server while Google smooths out the wrinkles. Google says that its support for Java on App Engine will make it easy for developers to roll out their work to all standard J2EE servlet containers, including IBM WebSphere, Tomcat and others

Fake security software major malware threat

Fake security software programs were one of the biggest online threats encountered by Internet users in the last half of 2008, according to Microsoft’s latest security report. The bogus security software programs often offer a free scan that falsely says a user’s computer is infected. If installed, the programs are ineffective against malicious software. Security experts have theorized that those behind the programs reap lucrative profits. Microsoft detected two Trojan horse programs masquerading as security software on more than 3 million computers in the last six months of 2008. With the Washington state attorney general, Microsoft launched eight lawsuits in September 2008 aimed at tracking down those responsible for perpetrating the scams.

Acer hones in on niche markets

Acer is aiming at smaller and smaller demographic slices of the PC market with the two dozen products it launched Tuesday, ranging from wide-screen, all-in-one PCs to tiny nettops. Despite the focus on low-priced products, the company’s margins are staying the same, while those of competitors are falling, according to Acer CEO Gianfranco Lanci. Among the new products was a netbook with an 11.6-inch screen. Acer will continue to offer Windows XP on its netbooks, although notebook models will run Vista and, when it is released, Windows 7.

And those are the top stories from the IDG Global IT News Update, brought to you by the IDG News Service. I’m Peter Sayer in Paris. Join us again later for more news from the world of technology.